Wednesday, 31 October 2012

Always the innovators, Prada commissioned Haines for a multi-platform project featuring the fashion house’s collections for the season. “Il Palazo,” according to Prada, references the ‘palace of role play’ where “Hollywood leading men Gary Oldman, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe and Jamie Bell walked a red carpet runway.”

For those unfamiliar with the concept, the project will unfold in stages, starting with a series of rare and collectable book releases of Haines’ original sketch work and culminating in a project app and dedicated platform on Prada.com. The last element will showcase a “virtual Palazo” in which visitors will be able to discover “rooms” full of Prada accessories, as well as Haines’ Prada-based artwork. Dazed Digital have an exclusive interview with Haines about the project and more information.

Click on the Prada tag at the bottom of this post to see more of their projects involving fashion illustrators.

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Tank magazine's fall issue features four different covers illustrated by couturier Christian Lacroix, who made collages and drawings based on editor Caroline Issa's selections from the fall 2012 collections. The magazine, which hits newsstands on September 15, contains a full fifteen plates of his work, as well as scented pages created by Finnish artist Sissel Tolaas.

FASHION NOW

Text by Caroline Issa

Illustrations by Christian Lacroix

The autumn/winter shows are always my favourite. There is just so much more to look at. Think of all the layering pieces: the coats, the jackets, the jumpers. I was rewarded with spectacular visions by designers that entirely reflected my own tastes - promises of the trouser suit, rich brocades, deep purples and plenty of leather.

When we were planning this issue, I wanted to ensure we had a collections story as a visual reminder of the shows that had made my heart sing. From Valentino's impressively feminine show, Thakoon's vibrant trench coat and feather confections, to Maison Martin Margiela's beautiful, if exaggerated, tailoring. These were the key looks that stood out. More than anything this season is about a new line, a shape and form that wants to take off somewhere new. Asking the great couturier and creative genius, Christian Lacroix to interpret 14 looks of the season was the easy part. And it was mind-blowing when he agreed.

These are looks from shows I really admired. Christian with iPad and stylo (his tool of choice nowadays) generated a series of sketches, combining his legendary illustrations with new collage techniques. His digital tools only enhanced his personal touch, his distinct fingerprint on such delicate details was perfectly in tune with this issue's theme of technology and sensuality and so unmistakably Lacroix with his incredible genius to make us dream. I love his interpretation of the looks of the season by fellow creators, and hope you do too.

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Back in 2009, artist and Saatchi favourite Donald Urquhart was asked to produce a series of illustrations to accompany Ponystep's seasonal menswear review (back in the pre-magazine days of their website). Impossible to find anywhere online since the website closed, I've been able to chase them down after a good while and can show them again! Looks include Romain Kremer, Dunhill Raf, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent. . . . I think.
In honesty, the main appeal in these images is more to do with the stylistic and humourous approach that Urquhart takes, and showing the general notions and shapes that menswear was taking in 2010. Would love to see him interpret the next season.

Myself and Julie Verhoeven were also asked to produce the accompanying illustrations for the other seasons. To see Julie's click here. For mine, click here.